Black is new to the franchise (taking the reins from Jon Favreau, who stays on board as a co-star), but he does have previous form with RDJ, having directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and punched up the dialogue in the original Iron Man .

On his relationship with Downey Jr., Black told us: “Robert and I go back almost 10 years to the day when we sorta locked eyes across a Whole Foods market and sorta said, ‘We should work together.’

“It’s almost been like a romance with Robert, over a period of time. He knows how to push my buttons and I know how to push his, and I think that’s what makes it such a joy.

“I owe a great deal of thanks to this man who will be gracious enough to say I’ve helped him with his career and comeback, but it’s every bit the opposite.”

Iron Man 3 opens in the UK on 25 April 2013.

For much more on Iron Man 3 , pick up the brand-new issue 206 of Total Film magazine, which is on sale now.